Local residents are calling it an environmental disaster. They’ve been notified, along with visitors to waterways near the Mount Polley Mine close to Likely, B.C., of a complete water ban following an overnight tailings pond breach.

The Ministry of Environment said the breach at Mount Polley Mine happened in the middle of the night. The ministry along with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), RCMP, Central Cariboo Search and Rescue and emergency management crews are investigating and assessing the possible environmental impact.

The water ban, which includes all recreational water activities, bathing, and drinking will be in place until further notice by the CRD. It extends to the entire Quesnel and Cariboo River systems up to the Fraser River, including Quesnel Lake, Cariboo Creek, Hazeltine Creek and Polley Lake.

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